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 buy + listen |
JAMES ZABIELA - UTILITES (THRIVE RECORDS) |
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With all the technology available to artists, James Zabiela has taken his latest release to the next level by using two different formats of creative audio design. With Utilities, Zabiela offers the listener two differently produced CDs, each with its own musical experience. CD 1, Computed, was put together solely using Ableton Live software. CD 2, Recorded, followed the format of Zabiela's previous release, ALiVE, which was recorded live with CDJs, samplers, and an EFX unit. Says Zabiela, “by comparing both discs, people can draw their own conclusions as to what system they prefer.” It takes solid creativity to be able to combine genres like house, progressive, breaks, tech and experimental into a cohesive mix and Zabiela pulls it off. Even in one of his own debut original productions, "EyeAMComputer" (the other being “Robophobia”), genres are melded into a dark robotic blend of intelligent 4/4. Lee Coombs and Aphex Twin meet up with Zabiela's work on CD 1 along with the breaks/tech selection "On/Off" by Soundex. The standout track on CD 1 is track fourteen, “Theme from Silvertone”, with its floating classically styled arpeggiated melodies and its dynamic build-ups. CD 2, the live-recorded mix, delves deeper with a darker vibe and the usage of experimental sounds. Beginning with the emotive electro energy of “Through You”, Zabiela moves into harder techno territory starting with Trentemoller’s “Rykketid”. With its tight punchy kick drum and slick breakbeats intermittently whipping by, energy intensifies with Montero’s “Captain Hook”. Turning back into electro with the appropriately named “Feelin’ Electro”, the tempo spins up towards the end and into “At the Rave.” Hugg & Pepp’s “Pellefant” enters mystical eerie territory. With a slightly detuned synth, reverbed vocals, and blips and bleeps bouncing over the top of the spectrum, “Pellefant” ends up being one of my favorite tracks from CD 2 because of its sound design. Breakbeat makes it way back in with the phatt-grooved “Gyromancer” while still staying in the experimental realm with some of the featured sounds. Sexy floating female middle-eastern style vocals mixed with sweet breaks begins to soften things up towards the close of CD2 with “Simon Says” by Carbon Community. Closing things out, for the final track, Zabiela edits up Ellen Allien’s “Sehnsucht” for a sensually dramatic, sci-fi flavored, ending to Zabiela's 'live' mix. For me it was a tough choice to pick a favorite style between Computed and Recorded since I appreciated the different aspects of both mixes. My personal taste would have appreciated a little less of the experimental side on either CD, but if you're a big fan of experimental, most likely you'll enjoy the mixes even more so than I did! www.jameszabiela.co.uk www.renaissanceuk.com www.thrivemusic.com -- review by Jules Mari
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